This could allow transplant teams to use kidneys, lungs and even hearts that they would previously have rejected, enlarging the number of available organs.

Because the organs are kept at body temperature surgeons can even check that how well they are functioning, such as how well a heart is beating, before they use them in an operation.

Called Aqix its British inventors believe it could increase the number of organs for transplant by as much as 10 per cent, or an extra 300 a year.

Trial work has been supported by the Technology Strategy Board, which is linked to the Department for Business.

If further tests prove successful the solution could be in use in the NHS within two years.

In recent years scientists and politicians have called for a system of presumed consent to increase donor numbers.

Almost 3,700 transplants were carried out in Britain last year.

But at any one time there are around 10,000 people on the register waiting for a donor organ.

Matthew Durdy, chief executive of Aqix, said: “We need to get more people coming forward to be organ donors in this country.

“But this technology will also increase the number of organs available for transplant.”

The technique could prove particularly crucial for some organs for which there are few donors.

While kidney transplants are the most common operation, those involving hearts, livers and lungs are carried out less often, in part because of a lack of organs.

Prof David Talbot, a consultant transplant surgeon at the Freeman Hospital in Newcastle said: “There is a strong need for this kind of solution, to increase the number of organs that we have available for donation.

“Although this technology is still at a very early stage, I am hopeful that it is a case of watch this space.”